Long-time Tres Pinos resident
Long-time Tres Pinos resident Valentina Pauline Ferraro Calleri died Wednesday afternoon at Southside Convalescent Hospital in Hollister. She was 98.
Mrs. Calleri was born in Murialdo, Italy. She came to America in 1914 at the age of 10 and to San Benito County in 1917. She and John Calleri Sr. were married at Sacred Heart Church in 1923. She worked for Guerra Nut Shelling and in local canneries before becoming a homemaker.
She was known as a loving and generous person to whom family and friends were important and always a reason for a home-cooked meal. She gave gifts of hand-crocheted afghans and baby items.
Mrs. Calleri was a member of Immaculate Conception Church in Tres Pinos and a past member of the church’s Altar Society, the Grandmothers Club, Golden Years and the Tres Pinos Pedro Card Party Club. She enjoyed taking trips to Reno and Lake Tahoe, and it was said that she would go anywhere to play bingo.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Albina and Mel McEwan of Hollister; her brother, Fred Ferraro of San Jose; seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, two nieces and a nephew.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John Calleri Sr.; her son, John Calleri Jr.; her daughter, Josephine Calleri Welch; and her brothers, Andy and Valerino Ferraro.
Friends may visit Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Funeral Home. Funeral services will begin Monday, Nov. 11 at 9:30 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by a funeral Mass at Immaculate Conception Church in Tres Pinos. Burial and graveside services will follow at Calvary Cemetery. A reception at the Tres Pinos Church Hall will follow burial.
Memorials are preferred to Immaculate Conception Church or to the donor’s favorite charity.
